If jumping off a building to save a raccoon doesn’t kill Corbin Pierce then his next altruistic impulses just might.

Pierce, ex-Ivy League community college adjunct and environmental activist, has his hands full keeping the local spirit-creatures out of the hands of poachers while teaching his students about history they shouldn’t repeat. As if he didn’t already have enough on his plate, he and his new mentee-turned-apprentice discover the murder of a homeless man.

As one murder becomes two, Corbin suspects the involvement of The Hand, a secret cabal of high magicians. It won’t be his first conflict with them, but if he can’t find a way to stop them, it could well be the last.

Even worse, ancient spirits are waking to wreak havoc on the city as the bodies pile up. To end it all, Corbin must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice. If he doesn’t, the city and everyone he loves will be gone. Can Corbin take the final leap, knowing he might pay the ultimate price?

I had read the Devil You Know series by this author and loved it, so when I saw ARC openings for this, I jumped on it. And this book didn’t disappoint.

Corbin Pierce can see magic, can do magic, and he works his arse off to make sure those who don’t know enough doesn’t end up killing everything or everyone.

He doubles as a community college teacher, which doesn’t really pay his bills, but every little bit helps. When he meets Taylor who turns out to have a gift similar to his, and the two stumble on to the murdered corpse of a homeless man, Corbin finds himself getting deeper into danger.

To add to the chaos, there’s the decision to have the Green, the local park that’s privately owned developed into something that would destroy it.

But not everything is as it appears, and Corbin is forced into making some hard choices before he’s done. Aided by Scratch, the Raccoon he manages to befriend, a heist, and some luck, he manages to save the Green for now but discovers another murder victim.

The obvious suspect is the Hand, a local and secret cabal of high magicians whose leader has a bone to pick with Corbin. But with no proof, Corbin can only keep his eyes open and hope for the best. But with betrayal and murders surrounding him, Corbin’s luck may just have run out.

This is an entirely different book than the Devil You Know and Corbin is not at all like Nick. But he’s a relatable and likeable protagonist who shares the same altruism that Nick has, the same desire to help anyone who needs it.

I loved Corbin’s little found family including Scratch, the bestest raccoon of all. I loved the plot, and how it was resolved, and I’m sure I’ll be picking up the rest of the books in this series whenever they release.

Highly recommended if you enjoy urban fantasy, animal sidekicks, and complex characters.

Grab the book here!